Pablo Bauleo
Reviews By Author
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Bf-110 vs. Lancaster 1942-1945Published:
The Duel series from Osprey Publishing has been expanded to include a volume devoted to the aerial night fighting campaign between the Bf-110 and the Lancaster during WWII. Most of the previous titles have been devoted to similar classes of airplanes, armor, or ships. However, this title is different in the sense that it’s a fighter versus a bomber (disparate classes of aircraft), and the weapons that changed the tide in their fight were usually technical developments in the field of electronic measures and countermeasures, not a higher rate of fire, better tactics, or improved performance. Like all the other books in the series, this one has a section devoted to the evolution of airframes, the strategic situation, training, combat, etc. It is illustrated with plenty of… more |
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Italian Self-Propelled Guns Semoventi M 41 & M 42Published:
Italian armored equipment has never received the level of coverage than armored equipment from other countries has gotten. This book is part of recent efforts to correct that historical trend. The book has 3 main sections: the walk-around of three preserved self-propelled units (two M 41 and one M 42), a section with line drawings, and a brief historical summary, with period photos. The walk-around is clearly the most important part of the book. It covers three surviving Semoventi, the M 41 da 75/18 at Rome, the M 41 da 75/18 at La Spezia (this one is a full running Semoventi), and the M42 da 75/18 located in Rimini. The last one is in German markings and built to German specs, after the Italian surrender. The pictures are in full color (for a total of 171… more |
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Messerschmitt Bf-110 Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions specializes in white metal replacement parts. Its line of replacement landing gear has been expanded to include a set for the venerable Bf-110 from Revell/Monogram. This set is one of the more elaborated sets from SAC I’ve seen. It includes three main parts – two landing gear struts and a two-part tail wheel, plus 3 “frames” with the rest of the delicate parts. My example arrived partially crushed (I guess due to shipping). Having the small parts attached to a “frame” actually prevented them from being distorted. But still, a bit of work might be needed to straight them out; however, it is very easy to work with white metal (check the… more |
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Messerschmitt Bf 109FPublished:
Mushroom Model Publications has released the latest installment of their Yellow Series titled Messerschmitt Bf 109F. Like all the other books in the series, it is printed in glossy paper and lavishly illustrated with period b&w photographs, color profiles, and color pictures of restored aircraft. Also of note is also the fact they have included 3D computer-generated images of different parts of the airplane (nose, control stick, etc.). In addition to the above, there are 1/48 scale plans of all the main Bf-109F variants, plus a 620mm fold-out (2-feet) color profile of a Bf-109. I wish I could frame it! The main sections of the book include: early stages, armament, prototype (Bf-109F-0), main variants (F-1 to F-4), production series, modifications (/Trop,… more |
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Vampire Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions specializes in white metal replacement parts. Its line of replacement landing gear has been expanded to include a set for the Trumpeter Vampire. The set includes 4 parts, two landing gear struts and a two part nose wheel, finely molded in white metal. These parts are drop-in replacements for the plastic parts. You can see from the pictures the parts are very cleanly molded and formed. In particular the nose wheel replacement is more accurate is it includes a missing oleo (as you can see from the completed model, which was built using the plastic parts). Typically I tend to think of replacing a plastic landing gear by a white metal one when the model is large and heavy. For most single engine 1/48 scale models, weight is not an issue.… more |
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Spitfire Mk. I/Vb Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions specializes in white metal replacement parts. Its line of replacement landing gear has been expanded to include a set for the Tamiya 1/48 Spitfire Mk.I/Vb. The set includes 3 parts, two landing gear struts and tail wheel, finely molded in white metal. These parts are drop-in replacements for the plastic parts. You can see from the pictures the parts are very cleanly molded and formed. They include the “double slot” in the struts where the plastic landing gear cover is attached, so replacement should be quick and painless. Typically I tend to think of replacing a plastic landing gear by a white metal one when the model is large and heavy. For most single engine 1/48 scale models, weight is not an issue. However, if you have… more |
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Bf 109 E3/4/7 Landing GearPublished:
Scale Aircraft Conversions specializes in white metal replacement parts. Its line of replacement landing gear has been expanded to include a set for the Tamiya 1/48 Bf 109E3/4/7. The set includes 3 parts, two landing gear struts and tail wheel, finely molded in white metal. These parts are drop-in replacements for the plastic parts. You can see from the pictures the parts are very cleanly molded and formed. They include the “slot” in the struts where the plastic landing gear cover is attached, so replacement should be trivial. Typically I tend to think of replacing a plastic landing gear by a white metal one when the model is large and heavy. For most single engine 1/48 scale models, weight is not an issue. However, if you have added a resin cockpit, resin… more |
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USAAF National Insignia June 1943 – January 1947Published:
Squadron and SuperScale have released a decal sheet, #481266, with USAAF national insignia for the period June 1943 to January 1947. This decal sheet does not include the red border around the circle and bars. As such, I believe the markings are only valid from September 1943 until 1947, not from June 1943 as listed in the decal sheet title. The sheet includes decals for scale diameters of 25”, 30”, 35”, 36”, 40” and 55”. They are very shiny and printed by Cartograf (i.e. – good quality decals). The decal sheet instruction includes a location map for P-38, P-39, P-40, P-47 and P-51 aircraft. Decals are thin, yet strong. I was able to float them onto the model and then easily relocate them for final placement until dry. They settled into the recessed panel lines with a… more |
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B-25G “Shark Mouth”Published:
Academy continues to re-release the Accurate Miniatures series, which in my opinion is a very good thing. Despite their age, Accurate Miniature molds have very good surface detail and they have held up pretty well. There is virtually no flash at all. I only had to clean up two parts for a bit of flash. Originally, Accurate Miniature released the B-25G as a conversion set for their early mark B-25. This particular re-release brings you all the parts needed to assemble a B-25G in a single box, plus decals from Cartograf. As a plus, you get plenty of spare parts from the early mark (B/C/D) B-25s. Construction starts with the interior of the airplane. That means cockpit, bomb bay, radio equipment, storage bins, fire extinguishers, and even a chemical toilet! Sadly, most of… more |
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Air Vanguard USAF F-4 Phantom IIPublished:
Osprey Publishing continuous to expand the fledging series “Air Vanguard”. This new series is focused on a specific airframe, different versions/models and a brief detail of operational service of the aircraft under scrutiny. This volume (number 7 of the series) focuses on the USAF F-4 Phantom II. Based on the premise of this series, there are sections devoted to the airframe, engine, fuel system and armament. Specifically there are sections devoted to the F-4C, F-4D, F-4E, F-4F, and F-4G. It also includes sections on the reconnaissance versions of the above marks and special sections for license build/modifications for the Israeli and Japanese air forces. There are also a few short sections on special prototypes and test-bed airframes. Each section is well written and… more |